Dr Vanessa Hayes, Head of Garvan's Cancer Genetics Group, has been honoured by the Australian Academy of Science with the inaugural Ruth Stephens Gani Medal for her work in human genetics.

The Ruth Stephens Gani Medal is one of only seven early-career awards issued by the Academy this year to scientists across Australia who are under the age of forty.

"It's a great honour to receive recognition from the Academy, particularly for the work spanning my career to-date." said Dr Hayes. "Human genetics is an exciting and rapidly expanding field. I feel optimistic about the direction of my work, and hope to contribute much in the future."

A formal presentation of awards will be held at a ceremony in the Academy's Shine Dome in Canberra during early May.

See Academy of Science announcement.